CLEVELAND — If you looked at Michael Brantley’s numbers through his first 15 games and knew nothing of last year’s lost season, you’d probably assume he was the same hitter he’s been for the better part of his MLB career.

Entering the game Tuesday against the Astros, Brantley carried a slash line of .310/.385/.517 with three homers and 11 RBI. His creation of 55 percent more runs than the league average and 144 OPS+ in that stretch would indicate he’s every bit the same player he was before the two shoulder procedures.

But we know it hasn’t been that simple.

Given what Brantley’s fought through — playing in just 11 games last year — to regain something resembling his old form has impressed manager Terry Francona.

“Sometimes you get a guy back in name but not necessarily what they can do,” Francona said. “He really doesn’t look like he’s missed much of a beat at all.”

Francona, however, doesn’t want to...

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